Skid
With reference to yr post regarding pay on top of salary, let me try to clarify. Perhaps i was a little flippant with my beer comment.!! The allowances vary very little on a monthly basis but vary a huge amount depending on destinations which should be taken into account if you plan on counting towards the family budget. For example a 2 night LA is 223 USD. All monies are paid in cash when you check in at the hotel, not in salary. This in theory needs to last you for 2 breakfasts, 2 lunchs and 2dinners, which at local diners/restaurants will set you back about 120 USD., unless you take yr own food or live on Big-Macs. A couple of hours in the bar for 2 nights @ 6-8 dollars for beer/wine, and there is another 50 bucks up the wall! You get 1 full day off, and any activities other sitting by the pool in Summer will cost of course. Throw in 10-20 dollars in taxis from eateries and a 10 dollar phonecard to phone home and there is none left. However if you are a single guy it could be argued that for the 4 days you are away you are not spending yr salary in the bank.
Other destinations are even worse especially South Africa at about 70 pounds for 2 nights. The only place i bring back any cash from is Tokyo, usually 80-100STG you will get about 3-4 a year.
Hope this is of some help. Rgds
